By AFAYO SHADRACH BETHEL

Paul Sande Emolot, the newly elected leader of the Iteso Cultural Union-ICU has been criticized for his alleged involvement in partisan politics.

Emolot came under the spotlight after negotiating for the alleged withdrawal of the National Unity Platform candidate Joseph Okoboi Opolot during the Gogonyo County by-election in Pallisa district early this month.

In a press statemernt issued on August 7, Emolot said that his involvement in the Gogonyo County by-election was for the unity of Iteso.

But his action irked a section of political actors, Civil Society Organizations and religious leaders in Teso who say that the decision was in favour of the ruling party and an abuse of the Constitution of the Iteso Cultural Union as well as the Supreme law of the land that bars traditional and cultural leaders from taking part in partisan politics.

Benson Ekuwe, the Public Affairs Centre-PAC Executive Director says that Emolot’s actions have serious implications for the cultural setting, especially in Teso and notes that his decision was not about the unity of Iteso but about personal interests.